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Top 10 safe driving tips

Top 10 safe driving tips

Whatever the road condition may be, safe driving is the only way to ensure you stay safe on the streets. A beautiful sunny day on the open road can be wonderful experience, but driving during rush hour traffic, nasty weather or winter driving with snow can be quite stressful. As well, today’s smart cars, gridlock and sometimes a lack of driver courtesy can all result in increasingly high accident rates.

Here is a list of 10 safe driving tips to help keep you safe while driving.

• Safe driving tip 1: Always stay focused on your driving; distracted driving is the leading cause of vehicle crashes and injuries. It’s estimated that 80 per cent of accidents are caused by some form of distracted driving - whether it's cause by chatting, texting, eating, or adjusting the radio. Keep both eyes on the road and two hands on the wheel at all times.

• Safe driving tip 2: Buckle up - it's the law. At may seem obvious, but it the best way to keep you safe in your vehicle and protect you if you should crash.

• Safe driving tip 3: When stopping at lights or intersection, always leave ample room between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, making sure you can clearly see the bottom of the rear tires. Follow at a safe distance, watch your speed and pay attention to everything around you.

• Safe driving tip 4: Always carry a first aid kit and safety gear with you and make sure you change the gear according to the season. Winter is especially important. You can put a winter survival kit together yourself or buy one at any auto parts store.

• Safe driving tip 5: Keep your vehicle in good working order and never let your gas tank drop below the red line.

• Safe driving tip 6: When driving somewhere unfamiliar plan your route ahead of time and know the roads you want to follow. Don’t depend completely on your GPS and make sure you have a map handy. Give yourself extra time in case you get lost.

• Safe driving tip 7: A phone is great to have available for an emergency so make sure you have a charged battery and a car charger, especially for a long trip but just to be safe.

• Safe driving tip 9: Don’t stop for stranded motorists. You may want to help, but you can help by calling the police and giving their location.

• Safe driving tip 10: Beware of people who staged accidents. These "accidents" are a way for criminals to trap drivers. If you have any reason to believe that this has happened to you, stay in your locked vehicle and call the police. Or drive somewhere safe and then call police and record basic information such as the make, model and colour of the other vehicle and license plate number.

By following a few safe driving tips, paying attention to your vehicle’s roadworthiness and what's going around you, you'll ensure you stay safe and avoid dangerous situations.